No more dogs on mount

Full dog ban for Mount Kakepuku

This month we only had one person join us in the public forum to raise the issue that, despite the dog bylaw changing to have a full ban of dogs on Mount Kakepuku, there are still lots of dogs running around off-leash. So folks as of tomorrow (December 1) please refrain from taking your dog up Mt Kakepuku as it will no longer be an option.

We had a small agenda again this month with only a handful of items – these included an update on a policy update for the Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Building Policy. We decided that as it appeared to be very thorough and has only been used about twice since it was last updated we did not need to complete a submission on this.

There was a presentation on the selected artwork for the Rewi Street Skatepark that staff had worked with Mana Whenua to produce. These will be going up during the summer school holidays, so people will have the chance to ask questions about the artwork as it is being painted.

My chair report provided an outline of where we are up to with issues and projects we are working on with council staff. On the whole, the list is getting shorter and we are making some progress.

Through the chair report, we also raised a couple of projects that we are keen to support, the first of these is getting some fitness equipment for the youth and adults to use put into a park or two around Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. Board member, Jill Taylor has been hard at work and has teed up some funding that we can apply for to pay for the equipment. She is currently working with Parks staff to find suitable locations. We will provide an update as soon as we can.

The second project is a large wooden book holder to hold an honours book to go in the library to acknowledge our renowned local authors. This is being designed, created and gifted by The Menz Shed. We have endorsed this great idea by way of a supporting motion and look forward to seeing the finished product being proudly displayed.

Last month I mentioned that the Community Board was keen to see the pots up the main street removed as they were very dirty and frequently used for less than savoury purposes. So, you may have noticed that the pots have been cleaned and look much better. There is a significant cost to remove the pots due to the concrete they are set in and the requirement of a traffic plan and hiab truck. As this is not budgeted for it will not be happening this financial year.

The Holmes Garage Community Events and Market Space concept plan is looking amazing. We have updated the front profile of the building to create a “Wharenui or meeting house” style to tie in with the history of this area and to have a more open view shaft through to Selwyn Park. There will be pictures available for the community to see any day. We will be presenting this community idea to the Finance & Corporate Committee on December 5 and hope to get their approval to get it added to the Long Term Plan.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Te Awamutu Business Chamber on another wonderful Black Friday event. The town was packed and everyone looked to be having a wonderful time. The decorated Christmas Trees up the street are also an added bonus.

We are very spoilt for great events currently with the Te Awamutu Rotary Christmas Parade this Sunday, starting at 11am. Keep an eye out for us in our new green Community Board vests.

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Our next Community Board Meeting is Wednesday, December 13 at 6pm in the Council Chambers — all welcome. Please contact any of the board members if you have a topic you would like to discuss or bring it to the board table.